A RETIRED farming couple from North Dorset have been ordered to tear out what they describe as a wildlife haven by today.

Terry Kendall and his wife, Theresa, moved from their dairy and poultry farm in Twyford, to Hill View Farm, Shaftesbury, seeking a quiet spot for their retirement.

Mrs Kendall, a mother and grandmother, said they had raked part of a field next to their garden to remove the stones, and planted shrubs and trees to attract birds, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife.

Last year the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recorded 100 birds on the patch in one hour.

But North Dorset District Council learned of the garden, and said the couple needed to apply for planning permission as the Kendalls had changed the use of the agricultural land to "domestic curtilage".

The retrospective application was refused, as was an appeal to the planning inspector.

Mrs Kendall said it would take a JCB digger and a lot of work to remove their efforts.

All they are allowed to keep are the trees.

She said it seemed as if rules were not applied fairly, as she could see a neighbouring travellers' camp from her window and she lived next to a stone-cutting business that brought large lorries up the narrow lane.

She said their garden didn't even have a paving slab.

"With our garden we were prepared to have restrictions regarding any building even down to a garden seat," she said.

"We had 11 letters of support for our garden when it went to North Dorset.

"We just want to keep it a nice country wildlife garden. It just backs into the countryside.

"We just want to get on with our quiet little lives."

A North Dorset District Council spokesman said the council had a duty to uphold development guidelines which, in this case, had been breached.

"The council strongly refutes the allegations of double standards relating to the nearby' travellers' camp which has no bearing on the case of Hill View Farm," he said.

"Dorset County Council leads on all matters relating to travellers and is aware of the current encampment on St James's Common to the south of Shaftesbury.

"The council is aware of the situation regarding the stone cutting business from farm premises which has been done without an application for change of use.

"This council is in discussion with the company regarding its business activity."